Finally...on 2 feet and wrecking havoc...

So, we didnt' fall off the face of the Earth! Mommy has been sooooo busy with 2 classes this summer AND drafing the first 3 chapters of her dissertation AND working full time AND going to a week long conference AND with me and Daddy to take care of...so she has not had a lot of time or energy to help me with my blog update.

Here is what have I been up to to since our last update:
We had a fun trip to North Dakota for the 4th of July. I went to the Fargo zoo and got to see lots of fun animals and even feed some goats.

Just after the 4th of July, I realized how much more efficient walking is than crawling. So, I finally took off and am now going everywhere and in a hurry too! I have taught Mommy and Daddy that I am independent and have my own agenda for things and will get to those milestones when I feel like it.

I had my 18 month check up and my doctor was quite impressed with my new skills.

Here are my stats:
Birth - 8 lbs 1/2 oz & 20 1/2 inches long
2 months- 12 lbs & 23 inches long
4 months - 16 lbs 6oz & 25 inches long
6 months - 19 lbs 3 oz. & 27 inches long
9 months - 22 lbs & 28 inches long
12 months - 24 lbs 8 oz & 30.5 inches long
15 months - 26 lbs 6 oz. & 32 inches long
18 months - 28 lbs & 34 inches Tall*
*Still in the 75th percentile for both height and weight.

Throughout the later part of summer, I went to AdventureLand in Des Moines and rode some fun rides. I went to the Des Moines Zoo too...saw some dinosaurs, giraffs, lions and flamingos. I loved the Giraffs the best. They were huge and so fun to watch walk all over! I also went to the Iowa State Fair, had lunch at the Pork Producers (a family tradition) and even helped eat a red velvet funnel cake.

With the start of fall came more fun...
We went to the Deal Apple Orchard to pick out pumpkins, buy apples and get some apple cider! I got to play in a huge pit of corn (like a ball pit). I had so much fun dumping corn kernals into buckets and a few even ended up in my diaper, pants, shoes, etc.

For Halloween, I dressed up as a football player. Since I hate wearing hats, I didnt have a helmet, but I did my best to play the part. I went trick or treating throughout Gilbert. The best part of trick or treating was putting candy BACK into the bowls at different houses.

Finally, Mommy finished her last class EVER in the PhD program. She needs to complete a capstone project (pilot study) and her dissertation. She tells me that is going to be a lot of work but she is planning to finish next Fall 2012. Go Mommy!

That is all for now! We have fun plans over the next couple months. My newest cousin, Mason, is turning 1 very soon...party time! Time off around Thanksgiving and Christmas will be a great chance to visit family!

Until next time...
Love you!
Aidan Russell